ORONO – The University of Maine boasted one of the stingiest defenses in Division I-AA (now called the Football Championship Subdivision) in 2006.

What the Black Bears lacked was offensive punch.

Coach Jack Cosgrove and his staff are intent on boosting their offensive production in 2007 and making a run at the Colonial Athletic Association (formerly Atlantic 10) title.

“We’ve got to find a way not to lose by 1, 3 and 6,” Cosgrove said. “You think about it: One touchdown, one field goal and one extra point and we might have been undefeated in our conference last year.”

The Bears, who finished 6-5 overall and 5-3 in league play, believe they’re better equipped to win this season, which begins with a Sept. 1 home game against Monmouth University.

Despite losing six regulars off its defense, including three players who are in NFL camps, UMaine hopes a strong and deep unit can again set the tone and allow the offense to blossom.

“I’d like to think that we’re going to make strides on offense that exceed where we were last year and we’re going to try to mirror, as best we can, our accomplishments on defense,” said UMaine’s 15th-year head coach. “That’s a lot easier said than done.”

Offense needs a leader at QB

The Bears’ offensive fortunes will be the responsibility of a new starting quarterback.

With the opener looming a week away, Cosgrove was only today expected to announce whether that would be sophomore Mike Brusko or redshirt freshman Adam Farkes.

Brusko, by virtue of limited action in 11 games last year and two-plus years in the system, is considered the frontrunner. He’s a tough runner with an average arm.

Farkes has impressed with his ability to throw but may yet lack the experience to command a Division I offense.

“That’s the big mystery,” Cosgrove said. “We’ve seen a lot of good things out of both of them. I think they’re very close [in ability].”

The signal caller will be blessed with an improved offensive line and more experience among the wide receivers, areas that bogged down the Bears last season.

“We’ve got to be more productive as far as finishing off drives and scoring points,” said offensive coordinator Kevin Bourgoin. “We have guys that can make plays, that can score points, that are explosive in the pass game or in the run game.”

Up front, senior left tackle Shawn Demaray of Livermore Falls anchors a group of four returning starters that includes left guard Jacob Folz of West Paris, center Ryan Canary and right guard Chris Arnao.

Versatile Chris Parcells will play right tackle and handle long-snapping duties for punts, field goals and extra points. Still, there is depth with tackle Jake Queener and guard Jake Serdy, both of whom have played, along with Alex Batanian and Matt Barber.

They’ll be blocking for a corps of running backs headlined by running and receiving threat Jhamal Fluellen (250 yards rushing, 21 receptions in ’06), Jermaine Henderson, Teron Allen and Jerron Pearson.

Providing power in the backfield are H-backs Anthony Cotrone and Wellington Talkpa.

The receiving corps is led by wide receivers Manzi Pierre (22 receptions, 2 TDs in ’06) and Landis Williams along with Fluellen and tight end Matt Mulligan, a senior from West Enfield. Other wideouts in the mix are Des Randall and Kenny Fersner,

“We’re going to be a little more aggressive in the sense that we’re going to try to throw the ball a little more downfield,” Bourgoin said. “We’re going to be more of an attack-style offense.”

Bourgoin said given its level of talent and experience, UMaine will have to limit turnovers and penalties and execute well if it is going to succeed.

Confident defense features depth

Despite some key losses, UMaine is confident its defense will again be stout. Last season, the Bears led the nation in rushing defense, allowing 69.3 yards per game, and was second in total defense (230 ypg).

“It was great last year and we did a lot of special things as a defense, but we have new personnel, new leadership and new guys stepping up and it’s just a matter of building a new season,” said senior end Pat McCrossan.

The line is spearheaded by senior tri-captains McCrossan and tackle Bruno Dorismond. Rugged Jovan Belcher has been moved from linebacker to end to better utilize his talents, while Reggie Paramoure and Jonathan Pirruccello of Turner are vying for the nose tackle spot.

Josh Caldwell of Brewer provides depth at end.

The linebackers should be among the Bears’ strengths, paced by Andrew Downey and co-captain John Wormuth, last year’s leading tacklers. Veteran Sean Wasson, along with Jordan Stevens of Temple and Mark Masterson, give UMaine plenty of backup help.

Even with four seniors gone from the secondary, the Bears have considerable experience. Safety Jonathan Calderon heads a group that includes veteran cornerbacks in Lamir Whetstone, Lionel Nixon Jr. and Steven Barker.

Brandon McLaughlin and Troy Harris have been battling to start at strong safety.

“I think they’ve maintained that hunger during the offseason and want to pick up where they left off,” Cosgrove said of the defense.

The kick is up …

The Bears hope to be significantly improved as place-kicker Devin McNeill of Portland, punter Kash Kiefer and kickoff man Bobby Donnelly of Westbrook return a year stronger.

McNeill wants to be even more accurate and extend his field-goal range. Kiefer was steady last season (36.7 yards per kick), but wants more distance and hang time.

Donnelly looks to boot the ball deep on kickoffs but also must remain sharp if needed for PATs and field goals.

UMAINE SCHEDULE

SEPTEMBER

1 – Monmouth, 6 p.m.; First meeting

8 – at Connecticut; Series: Connecticut leads 38-31-3; last meeting: Connecticut won 34-20 (1999)

15 – at Villanova, 6 p.m.; Series: Maine leads 7-5; last meeting: Maine won 20-7 (2006)

22 – Massachusetts, 2:30 p.m.; Series: Massachusetts leads 39-13-1; last meeting: Massachusetts won 10-9 (2006)

OCTOBER

6 – at Hofstra, 1:30 p.m.; Series: Hofsta leads 9-6; last meeting: Maine won 21-10 (2006)

13 – William and Mary, 3 p.m.; Series: William and Marry leads 5-3; last meeting: Maine won 20-17 (2006)

20 – at Stony Brook, 3 p.m.; First meeting

27 – at Northeastern, 2 p.m.; Series: Maine leads 22-16; last meeting: Maine won 30-3 (2006)

NOVEMBER

3 – Towson, noon; Series: Maine leads 4-3; last meeting: Maine won 28-7 (2006)

10 – Rhode Island, noon; Series: Maine leads 48-34-3; last meeting: Rhode Island won 3-0 (2006)

17 – at New Hampshire, noon; Series: New Hampshire leads 45-43-8; last meeting: New Hampshire won 19-13 (OT, 2006)